Mogadishu (HORN OBSERVER) - Somali and Djibouti governments have deported more than 387 Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) members during the last 20 years, the group's spokesperson confirmed.
Speaking to BBC Somali Service, ONLF spokesperson, Abdikadir Hassan Hirmoge said at least top officials of the group in Mogadishu were handed over to Ethiopian government.

Among those arrested from the capital is Abdikarim Sheikh Muse Qalbi-dhagah. The handing over of Qalbi-dhagah had led public outrage which Somali parliament debate over the issue.


The parliament later termed the arrest and extradition of Qalbi-dhagah as illegal.

Three years later, Somali cabinet this week rescinded of its controversial 2017 decision to place the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) on its terror list.

Somali cabinet voted overwhelmingly today for the resolution seeking delist ONLF.

The cabinet also declared the rendition of senior ONLF member Abdikarim Sheikh Muse - better known as Qalbi Dhagah- as illegal

Hirmoge said highest number of ONLF operatives were handed over to Ethiopia by the breakaway Somaliland authorities.

"In Somaliland, 250 members had been arrested, including members of the central committee, including Abdullahi Qaji and other members of the group, including Bishara Wacdi Shaqlane, Garjubbi and Halye," Hirmoge said.

The official also noted that over 100 members of ONLF arrested in Djibouti, Puntland and Galmudug.


"Djibouti extradited over 74 members of ONLF including a top commander of the group Yussuf Elji who was extradited in 1996. Puntland state also deported 30 members of ONLF including a member of executive committee Abdinuur Sooyaan," the spokesperson said.


He added "Galmudug state also handed over 30 members of ONLF to Ethiopia."